An evaluation of communication means for smart metering in Flanders

© K.U.Leuven - ESAT/ELECTA

An evaluation of An evaluation of communication means for communication means for smart metering in Flanderssmart metering in Flanders

Geert DeconinckGeert DeconinckK.U.LeuvenK.U.Leuven

2© K.U.Leuven - ESAT/ELECTA

Context & outlineContext & outline

• report for Flemish Regulation Entity for the Electricity and Gas Market (VREG)

G. Deconinck, D. Bekaert, P. Jacqmaer, T. Loix, T. Rigole, B. Verbruggen, "Studie communicatie-middelen voor slimme meters (VREG 2006/0192)," K.U.Leuven - ESAT, 2007, 84 pages

• outlinesmart meter requirementscommunication meanscostconclusion


Smart meter: AMR + AMMSmart meter: AMR + AMM

• (VREG): E / G meter, with 2-way communicationsend measurement registers

o on demand (1/yr) + periodically (monthly)

remotely (dis)connect & reduce E/G supply; budget metermultiple measurement registersremote modification of tariffs and tariff periodsremote upgrading of firmware for new functionalitysend on demand PQ diagnosis + automatic fraud alarms

• in line with NTA 8130 also other utility functions (heat, water)requires simultaneous dimming/disconnecting consumers


Smart meter requirementsSmart meter requirements

transaction type time critical responsemin/typ/max

#times/yr #data min/typ/max

commandstore measurement registers

yes immediate5 min1 h

1 0,5 KiB1 KiB16 KiB

sendmeasurement registers

(periodically + on demand)

no immediate10 min

2 h

13 (12+1) 1 KiB32 KiB16 MiB

commandreduce load

yes immediate5 min1 h


adjustparameters

no immediate10 min

2 h


upgrade firmware no - 0,2 0,5 KiB1 KiB

512 KiBsend

alarmsno immediate

10 min2 h

0,2 0,5 KiB1 KiB16 KiB


Situation in FlandersSituation in Flanders

• 0.5 MiB / meter / yr for measurement registers min. 15 KiB – max. 250 MiB

• 3.1 million E-meters + 1.6 million G-meters (2.6 + 1.4 million residential) approx 3 million smart meters

• results in 1.28 TB raw data / yr (4 - 654 TB) negligible with respect to internet traffic


Need for hierarchical approachNeed for hierarchical approach

• need for hierarchical approach

• small bandwidth sufficient for basic informationadditional services require broadband

• real-time requirementsif no broadcasting, only 1.2 ms is available for addressing all meters in 1 hour

Data \ Time 5 s (min.) 10 min (typ.) 2 h (max.)

1 KiB 1.6 kbps 14 bps 1.1 bps32 KiB 52 kbps 437 bps 36 bps16 MiB 27 Mbps 224 kbps 19 kbps


Communication architectureCommunication architecture

• communication architecturedirect connection (PSTN/GSM/GPRS)

o dial-in via modem or data connectiondedicated intermediate comm. infrastructure

o with concentrators (PLC, RF)existing intermediate comm. infrastructure

o ADSL or internet connection


Overview of communication meansOverview of communication means

• categories studiedpower line communicationcomm. over telephone / cable infrastructurewireless communication

• discussion technical aspects

o description, protocolssuitability for smart metering

o bandwidth, responsiveness, reliability, accessibility, …situation in Flanders


Power line communicationPower line communication

• Usage: between smart meters and concentrators • + no extra cabling required• - smallband, short distances to concentrators (< some km)• - reliability less than other communication means, but still OK • - not available when certain power problems occur


Communication over telephone and Communication over telephone and cable infrastructure cable infrastructure

• smallband communication over analog / digital phone lines+ very reliable- smallband- requires connection to phone equipment & call centres- slow communication setup- smallband, no multicasting

• broadband connection over phone line or TV cable (dedicated / shared) + broadband- requires connection to phone or cable equipment & access points- short distances (<3 km)+ multicasting on TV cable


Wireless communication Wireless communication

• 2nd or 3rd generation mobile telephony and datacircuit-based: GSM, HSCSD packet-switched: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, …)- smallband (2G)+ broadband (3G), - not yet widely available- not so good coverage in cellars

• non-licensed RF (ISM band)- requires antenna infrastructure (hierarchical)- typically smallband


Wireless communication (Wireless communication (ctdctd.).)

• licensed RF (PMR, trunked radio)+ very reliable, broadcasting, fast, good coverage- smallband

• others (WiMax, …)


Cost analysisCost analysis

costs per meter

0,00 €

10,00 €

20,00 €

30,00 €

40,00 €

50,00 €

60,00 €

PLCsm

allban

d tele

phone

dedic

ated br

oadb

andc

onnec

tion

exist

ing br

oadba

ndco

nnecti

on

GSM

GPRSUMTS, P

MR, WiM

AX RF

yearly costs per meterinitial costs per meter


Costs over 15 year time horizonCosts over 15 year time horizon

total costs per meter over time horizon

0,00 €

100,00 €

200,00 €

300,00 €

400,00 €

500,00 €

600,00 €

700,00 €

800,00 €

900,00 €

PLCsm

allban

d tele

phone

dedic

ated br

oadb

andc

onnec

tion

exist

ing br

oadba

ndco

nnecti

on

GSM

GPRSUMTS, P

MR, WiM

AX RF


ConclusionConclusion

PLC cable wirelessinternet telephone GSM, GPRS UMTS RF PMR

reachability 100% S: 95% / B: 60%

98% + 99% 60% 100% 100%

costs medium S: very highB: medium

medium to high

high high medium high

operation own S: telecom-providerB: ISP

telephone operator

mobile phone

operator

mobile phone

operator

own own or PMR-operator

access via comm. provider

directly directly directly directly via comm. provider

directly or via comm. provider

suitability (bandwidth,

BW)

functions with low BW

functions with high

BW

functions with medium

BW

functions with medium

BW

functions with high

BW

functions with low BW

functions with medium BW

suitability(real-time,

RT)

functions with RT req’s

functions with (S) /

without (B) RT req’s

functions without RT

req’s

functions without RT

req’s

functions with RT

req’s



flexibility medium high medium / high

medium / high

high medium medium / high

reliability high medium / high

very high high /very high

medium / high

high very high


Conclusion: Conclusion: technical & nontechnical & non--technical aspectstechnical aspects

• all communication means fulfil minimal req’s• technical

much data broadbando broadband internet-based solutions or 3G mobile

real-time broadcastingo PLC or wireless solutions (RF, PMR, UMTS, …)

• non-technical aspects costs

o PLC/RF and existing internet solutions (in)dependence

o telecom infrastructure by third parties


Personal commentsPersonal comments

• smart utility interface + measuring instruments(E, G, heat, water, …)

• future-proof: broadband + real-time requiredcreative contracts with critical/non-critical appsPQ-based servicesdecentralised control of DER

Presentations & Public Speaking

An evaluation of communication means for smart metering in Flanders